Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has admitted that he would be happy to play in the summer's Ashes series if called upon.
The 38-year-old announced his retirement from Test cricket at the end of 2012 following an impressive career in which he captained his side to 48 Test triumphs, as well as making 13,378 Test runs in 168 matches.
Ponting, who is currently in England playing county cricket for Surrey, concedes that it would be hard for him to turn down the chance to play in the Ashes.
"Mate, they will have reserve batsmen around should anything like that happen so I don't think they will be needing me. You wouldn't say no, would you, if that call came and I would never say never, but you have to say a call-up like that now is extremely unlikely," Ponting told Sky Sports News.
"I won't be in the changing room but I'll be keeping a close eye on what's going on, that's for sure. It won't be a case of keeping my distance from the Australian blokes or letting them get on with it.
"I have a lot of good friends in the side and I'll be catching up with them and talking about what's going on. If Michael Clarke wants to run anything by me he knows where I am. There's nothing official in place but I'll only be down the road."
The Ashes is scheduled to start on July 10.
Matt Cotton
